The free ebook for today is Giacomo Casanova’s ”Story of My Life”. Recently, the original manuscripts were purchased for 7 million euros and donated to France’s National Library.
The manuscript is written in French and, at 3,700 pages, is quite a long read. Most hardbacks are abridged versions.
The problem I have is finding a translation that I enjoy reading. Below are a few samples by different translators.
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The free ebook epub at Gutenberg translated by Arthur Machen in 1902:
I will begin with this confession: whatever I have done in the course of my life, whether it be good or evil, has been done freely; I am a free agent.
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The translation by Sophia Hawkes in 2000:
I begin by informing my reader that for everything good or bad that I have done throughout my life, I am certain I have always earned due approbation or reproof, and must therefore consider myself a free man.
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My favorite translation by William R. Trask in 1966:
I begin by declaring to my reader that, by everything good or bad, that I have done throughout my life, I am sure that I have earned merit or incurred guilt and that hence I must consider myself a free agent.
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Arthur Machen is a little loose in his translation. The most recent translation by Sophie Hawks is denser. The translation by William Trask is the most readable and true to the French.
It really comes down to a matter of taste. The Arthur Machen translation is free so maybe you prefer free regardless. Which translation do you prefer?
Thanx for this post.. i was looking for comparison b/w these translations..